Denis Villeneuve's Dune: Part Two has finally been revealed and film journalists are showering the highly anticipated sequel with praise for its incredible ensemble cast, stunning visual effects and more. The film, which follows 2021's Dune, is being called “masterful,” “damn impressive,” and full of fight scenes that rival Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.
“'Dune: Part Two' is pretty damn impressive,” wrote The Playlist's Gregory Ellwood. “Villeneuve creates some truly VISIONARY moments. Austin Butler delivers a truly transformative performance (and doesn't talk about makeup either). Very moving ending. A bit long? Yes. Did I forget I saw it the next day? Yes. Still, it’s going to be huge.”
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Dune: Part Two is pretty damn impressive. Villeneuve creates some truly VISIONARY moments. Austin Butler delivers a truly transformative performance (and doesn't talk about makeup either). Very moving ending. A bit long? Yes. Did I forget I saw it the next day? Yes. Still, it will be huge. pic.twitter.com/ARooLrTK8z
— Gregory Ellwood – The Playlist 🎬 (@TheGregoryE) February 15, 2024
Inverse editor Hoai-Tran Bui called the film “a triumph,” adding, “Even more powerful than the first but far more intimate, Denis Villeneuve manages to transform the book's more alienating second half into a gripping, action-packed epic.” “. Mastering TWO TOWERS-level combat sequences. Zendaya is the star.”
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DUNE: PART TWO is a triumph. Even more powerful than the first, but much more intimate, Denis Villeneuve manages to transform the more alienating second half of the book into a captivating, action-packed epic. Mastering TWO TOWERS-level combat sequences. Zendaya is the star. pic.twitter.com/gUYD6g3onN
– Hoai-Tran Bui (@htranbui) February 15, 2024
“Incredible filmmaking,” wrote Collider’s Steven Weintraub. “Brilliant result. The entire cast was excellent. My only complaint was that I wished it was longer. I am not joking. The film is 2 hours and 40 minutes (?) and I would have liked to watch another hour.”
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It wasn't a shock to anyone, I was absolutely thrilled #Dune2. Incredible filmmaking. Brilliant score. The entire cast was excellent. My only complaint was that I wished it was longer. I am not joking. The film is 2 hours and 40 minutes (?) and I would have liked to see another hour. pic.twitter.com/6PZmfQTEAH
— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) February 15, 2024
Uproxx's Mike Ryan wrote that he was mixed on the first film, but added that “Part Two” was “phenomenal” and “on par with the best sci-fi films I've ever seen.”
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I was kind of mixed about the first Dune. DUNE: PART TWO is phenomenal. Up there with the best science fiction films I've ever seen. I want to ride a sandworm. #DunePartTwo
— Mike Ryan (@mikeryan) February 15, 2024
Dune: Part Two continues the story of Paul Atreides (Chalamet), who teams up with the Fremen to save the galaxy from the Harkonnen Empire, who are responsible for the death of Paul's father. Chalamet is joined in “Part Two” by returning franchise cast members Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Dave Bautista, Stellan Skarsgård, Charlotte Rampling and Javier Bardem. New to “Dune” are Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Christopher Walken and Léa Seydoux.
The first Dune film was a box office hit, grossing just over $400 million at the worldwide box office. Considering the film opened at the same time it was made available to stream on Max, the box office prospects for “Part Two” are significantly higher. Villeneuve also touted “Part Two” as a better film, which is no small feat considering the first film received critical acclaim and ten Oscar nominations, including Best Picture. He went on to win six awards (original music, sound, film editing, cinematography, production design and visual effects).
“For me, this film is much better than Part One,” Villeneuve said at a press conference last year. “There’s something more alive in there. There is a relationship with the characters. I tried to achieve an intensity and quality of emotion that I didn't achieve with Part One and that I achieved with Part Two. I'm not saying the film is perfect, but I'm much happier with part two than part one. I can’t wait to share it with fans and moviegoers.”
“Dune: Part Two” hits theaters nationwide on March 1 from Warner Bros. You can find further initial reactions below.
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#DunePartTwo is a massive epic, a masterclass in craftsmanship from Greig Fraser's extraordinary photography to Patrice Vermette's magnificent world-building. Denis Villeneuve has delivered his magnum opus as director of one of the best science fiction films for generations to come. pic.twitter.com/Vvfs8YeFIi
— Jazz Tangcay (@jazzt) February 15, 2024
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I wrote this to the biggest DUNE fan of my life – my dad – yesterday after watching DUNE PART TWO. I'm completely thrilled with this thing, it's even better than the first one and I loved it! pic.twitter.com/kMfZBhLjUw
— Katie Walsh (@katiewalshstx) February 15, 2024
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#DunePartTwo/ #Dune2 is stunning, breathtaking and incredibly intoxicating. It's an adrenaline rush to the head and heart that soars in its spectacular action sequences as much as it sings in its sophisticated, moody silences. Timothée Chalamet & Zendaya deliver a unique work. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/I2TWLL39fg
– Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) February 15, 2024
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Dune: Part Two is a masterpiece.
Denis Villeneuve delivers an impressive, action-packed performance in a hearty, complex story. It's an amazing, moving film waiting to be seen on the biggest, most immersive screen possible. I loved it. Innovative and exciting. pic.twitter.com/r8s6IFCdWW
– BD (@BrandonDavisBD) February 15, 2024
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I was so impressed by some of the visuals in Dune: Part 2 that I feel like I understand how everyone felt when they saw Star Wars for the first time in 1977. Sometimes it's just unbelievable.
– BD (@BrandonDavisBD) February 15, 2024
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Dune Part II: Well, at least Javier Bardem had fun.
– David Ehrlich (@davidehrlich) February 15, 2024
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#DunePartTwo is MASTERFUL filmmaking on an epic scale. Denis Villeneuve combines captivating character development with extensive, stirring cinematic images. And the cast continues to develop in their roles. I slightly prefer the simpler DUNE to this complex chapter, but still an outstanding achievement. pic.twitter.com/qIFaeshZyW
— Sean O'Connell (@Sean_OConnell) February 15, 2024
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Dune: Part Two – Denis Villeneuve lands every spectacular, brutalist tableau he threw up three years ago. Science fiction myth-making at its finest and most tragic: the gravity of artificial fate, the untamable tendrils or faith. Loved that. pic.twitter.com/bWO9cUirhc
— Jeff Zhang 张佶润 (@strangeharbors) February 15, 2024
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Dune: Part Two is truly an impressive cinematic achievement; One that continues to evolve and build the world that Denis Villeneuve and his company have exquisitely created, crafted and shaped.
If you liked the first part, you will absolutely love the second part. While… pic.twitter.com/BkOU1Fv7w0
— Scott Menzel (@ScottDMenzel) February 15, 2024
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#Dune2 is an epic, masterful cinematic experience. It is visceral, palpable and needs to be seen on the largest screen possible. I saw it a few days ago and am still on the high of the experience. The rich mythology, drama and history are further enhanced by the visual and sound design. pic.twitter.com/QZvCaKIBOX
– Rosa Parra (@rosasreviews) February 15, 2024
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DUNE: PART TWO is unlike anything we've seen before, yet familiar. With a consistently impressive use of score and sound, it features transformative performances from Timothée Chalamet and Austin Butler. An adrenaline rush of cinematic proportions.#DuneMovie pic.twitter.com/wa7AfIGgcX
— filmposers™️ Josie Marie 🍉 (@TheJosieMarie) February 15, 2024
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Dune: Part Two is Denis Villeneuve's The Empire Strikes Back and Lawrence of Arabia. A science fiction opera that is not only magnificent in scope, but also in its mesmerizing and emotionally devastating story. Austin Butler will be a topic of conversation for many, but it's Timothée Chalamet who made my jaw drop… pic.twitter.com/IOyfauU5xQ
— David Gonzalez (@CinematicReel) February 15, 2024